To the Editor:

The future of our children’s health is at stake, and we have the opportunity to fix it now. I urge North Carolinians to work together to help close the gap in Medicaid coverage for the sake of our children and adolescents.

As a pediatrician, I’ve seen how health care coverage makes an impact on our children’s lives. Many of my patients’ parents have underlying chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and asthma. If they can’t afford regular routine health care, they end up in the ER, very sick, and often are hospitalized. Accessibility to medications and preventive care would be cost effective and provide the stability of a healthy home. Healthy parents can take better care of their children.

So, why are our state’s families struggling to get coverage?

Medicaid income caps prevent many parents from qualifying for coverage. Keep in mind, a family of three making more than $9,400 doesn’t qualify for coverage unless the insured is disabled or pregnant. If we help close the Medicaid gap, more than one fourth of people who would be eligible for coverage would have dependent children at home. That would help a lot of children and adolescents statewide!

I urge North Carolina to work fast to provide Medicaid coverage for more of our state’s citizens to help make the future stronger for our kids. Please contact your state Senator and Representative to move forward for a healthier NC.

Debbie Ainsworth, MD

Washington Pediatrics